Monthly Archives: April 2009

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“We were three-outs away from relinquishing a league title we have won three years in a row. But the the heart of a champion came out. If you’re going to beat us, you have to knock us out. They knocked us down a couple times today but we kept getting back up.” — Northview coach Darren Murphy.

“They went up, we fought back, they went up, we fought back, that’s Northview-San Dimas. I love my guys. We will come back on Thursday with the same guys and do it again. We’re not going to feel sorry for ourselves, that’s for sure.” — San Dimas coach Mike Regan.

Game story: While the San Dimas High School baseball team ponders how it unraveled and loosened its grip on the Valle Vista League title chase, three-time defending league champion Northview found what it has desperately been searching for.
After scoring two runs to tie the score in the seventh inning, the Vikings pushed an unearned run across in the eighth inning to win it, 7-6. “”The swagger and the heart came back to life today,” explained Vikings coach Darren Murphy. “It always seems like it takes a do-or-die situation to bring out the best in us.”

Baseball top ten rankings1. Bishop Amat (16-5) – The CIF-SS Division IV’s top-ranked Lancers split a pair last week, losing to Long Beach Wilson then beating Lakewood, 12-6. Are they still the area’s best team? Yes, but it’s getting closer.2. San Dimas (15-3) – – This is where we disagree with the Division IV polls. We think San Dimas deserves to be ahead of Northview because of their head-to-head win over the Vikes. Of course, that could all change this week in the much antcipated head-to-head series with the Vikings.3. Northview (13-4) – We will find out what the Vikings are made of this week. Did competing in the National Classic prepare them for the must-win games they face this week and down the line in the playoffs? We’re about to find out.4. Bonita (14-4) – By this time of year I expected the Bearcats to be crushing teams and running away with the Miramonte League title. It hasn’t happened, and another loss against a so-so Los Altos team makes you wonder. But hey, on paper you can’t argue with this group.5. Glendora (13-6) – After a split with Diamond Bar and Damien, I still think the Tartans are the best of the three, but it’s so close. The Tartans impressive run in reaching the final of their own tournament and winning the Arcadia tournament will pay dividends down the stretch.6. Damien (15-5) – How impressive has new coach Leyva been? They beat a very good Chino team and split with Glendora, leaving them in a three-way tie for second with Glendora and Diamond Bar. This race will continue to go back and forth until the end.7. Charter Oak (13-6) – Losing Tiffany, their shorstop/pitcher and captain, is going to hurt. The Chargers were one of those teams that couldn’t afford injuries, so I’m guessing this plays a big role in the home-and-home against Bonita this week.8. South Hills (12-7) – The Huskies closed out the week with a 6-2 loss to Alemany. They still lead the San Antonio, but the question of late is what’s happening with pitcher Jacob Shirley? He was declared ineligible when the season started, but his appeal should be heard any day now.9. Diamond Bar (11-8) – The Brahmas are at No. 9 for now but can jump and jump quick if they go on a run the final two weeks. They can play with anyone and get beat by anyone. Either way, it sure is fun to watch.10. Nogales (16-7-1) – There are two kinds of Nobles teams, the one when Andrew Melchor pitches, and the average Nobles when he doesn’t. The one with Melchor can beat anyone, which is going to make them a dangerous playoff opponent.

Did you know: That San Dimas center fielder Tim Brookes had a game for the history books. In a 20-4 win over Covina, Brookes hit two grand slams and finished with nine RBIs, which was the most RBIs in a single game in more than 20 years. His nine RBIs ties him with Rio Hondo Prep’s Jim Key (1977) and Don Lugo’s Bob Malins (1978) for second all-time in the CIF-SS record books for RBIs in a single game. Only Calvary Baptist’s Eddie Martinez had more, setting the record with 11 in 1977.

Girls Softball top ten rankings1. Glendora (14-2) – Out of respect for winning the San Dimas and Charter Oak tournaments, and for beating every area team that’s challenged them, the Tartans remain on top despite Los Altos’ big result over the weekend. It wasn’t just the win over San Dimas, it was how easily they did it.2. Los Altos (12-5) – Oh my goodness, this is what I’m talking about, quality wins. I almost jumped the Conq’s to No. 1 simply because when you defeat powerful Mater Dei, 4-3, that’s making a statement. The Monarchs were the No. 4 team in Division I, and they beat their No. 1 pitcher Matthews in the process on Saturday in the Santiago tournament. Forget the 14-5 loss to Bishop Amat afterward, Patterson was sick and didn’t pitch. The swagger is back.3. Bonita (16-3-1) – After easy wins over Diamond Ranch and Wilson, the Bearcats have one more tune-up against Charter Oak before hosting Los Altos on Thursday in the most anticipated softball game of the year. I’ll hold my prediction until then.4. San Dimas (15-4) – It is clear the Saints are not ready for the top three but still a strong number four. I wonder what an 8-0 loss to Glendora will do to their confidence? They had a chance to prove they belonged with the area’s heavyweights, but played like it was their first game of the season.5. Bishop Amat (12-11) – They defeat Los Altos without Diana-Lynn Patterson, which isn’t the same as beating Los Altos but still a nice result. The big win came in a 2-1 win over St. Paul.6. South El Monte (12-6) – Reina Gaber is tough as nails, in the circle, at the plate, she can do it all. But South El Monte still loses games that make you go hommm, like that one to Ontario Christian7. Sierra Vista (13-3) – How impressive is it that the Dons have compiled this record without standout pitcher Brittney Flores in the circle most of the season. This is a dangerous Div. V team is she’s healthy.8. Walnut (12-6) – I know they lead the San Antonio, which is an improving league, but not there yet. What’s disturbing is a 2-0 loss to Diamond Bar, which shows outside of league, San Antonio teams still struggle.9. South Hills (10-7-1) – The Huskies were idle last week, but overall record is encouraging.10. Northview (9-7) – Not the same dominating Vikes, but a big win over rival Covina basically ties them for second with the Colts behind San Dimas. And since the Vikes won the recent head-to-head with the Colts, they land at No. 10.

Miguel Melendez posted this quote from Gala Canada, who is the mother of Jordan and Jaime Canada. Jordan and Jaime left Duarte High and are now enrolled at South Hills. With so such speculation surrounding her son’s transfers, Gala Canada contacted the newspaper to give her reasons for the move. Melendez left messages for Duarte officials seeking reaction, and if they choose to do so, we will give you their response.

“I need to make the statement clear, that’s partially the reason,” said Gala Canada in reference to the firing of coach Wardell Crutchfield, who has since been replaced by Tip Sanders. “That’s the only reason (Jordan and Jaime) were at Duarte was because of Wardell, but they’re leaving for a number of things. The athletic programs need help and someone needs to look at that. I have spoken to (Duarte) principal (Eric Barba) and athletic director (Robyn Garcia). The program needs a lot of help. I volunteered all last year to bring as much assistance I could, but I’m one person. They didn’t leave just because of the firing. We love coach Crutchfield but this (lack of support) started last year with the principal. This has been going on for a long time and I’ve had enough. (South Hills) had a little bit of everything. I looked at a lot of schools. This wasn’t just a decision we were going to make out of the blue. There was research that went into it and I evaluated a lot of schools.”

While discussing all-area and player of the year on another thread, you realize how important a dominating pitcher is to the success of your team. But let me ask you this: If you took away the pitcher from the equation, who has the best softball team in the area? Who is the most complete from a defensive and offensive standpoint. In other words, using reigning player of the year Diana-Lynn Patterson as an example, if you put Patterson on (blank) team, they would become the best in the area.

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